Conflict Phase (February 1, 1948-December 23, 1955): The Malayan People’s Anti-British Army (MPABA) led by Chen Ping began a communist rebellion against the government of the Malayan Federation on February 1, 1948. The government declared a state-of-emergency on June 16, 1948. MPABA rebels killed two government policemen in Gua Musang on July 17, 1948. Government troops killed 22 MPABA rebels in the Batu Arang area on July 30, 1948. Seven government policemen were killed by MPABA rebels near Perak on October 28, 1948. British troops and MPABA rebels clashed near North Kedah on January 13, 1949, resulting in the deaths of seven British soldiers. Four British soldiers and eight government soldiers were killed in ambush by MPABA rebels near Pahang on January 19, 1949. Eight government police were killed during a clash with MPABA rebels near Rawang (Selangor) on July 12, 1949. Four British soldiers and seven MPABA rebels were killed during a clash in the Segamat area on November 12, 1949. Four British soldiers were killed during an attack by MPABA rebels near the Perak-Kedah border on December 3, 1949. Sixteen government police were killed during an attack by MPABA rebels on the Seremban-Jelebu road on December 12, 1949. British troops and MPABA rebels clashed near Labis on January 22, 1950, resulting in the deaths of 23 rebels. Ten Malayan police were killed in an attack by MPABA rebels in Seberang Perai (Province Wellesley) on January 22, 1950. MPABA rebels attacked a police station in Bukit Kepong on February 23, 1950, resulting in the deaths of 19 policemen, four civilians, and 40 rebels. Four British soldiers were killed during an attack by MPABA rebels near the Cameron Highlands on March 2, 1950. Eight British soldiers were killed during attacks by MPABA rebels near Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur on June 10-11, 1950. Sir Henry Gurney, the British high commissioner, was assassinated by MPABA rebels on October 6, 1951. The governments of Australia and New Zealand deployed troops as a part of a British Commonwealth military force in support of the British government. British Commonwealth troops launched a military offensive against the communist rebels on February 7, 1952. A ceasefire went into effect on December 23, 1955. Some 11,000 individuals, including 6,710 communist rebels, 2,473 civilians, 1,474 government soldiers and policemen, and 575 Commonwealth soldiers, were killed during the conflict.
Post-Conflict Phase (December 24, 1955-July 30, 1960): The Malayan Federation formally achieved its independence from the United Kingdom and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations (CON) on September 1, 1957. The government formally ended the state-of-emergency on July 30, 1960.
[Sources: Bercovitch and Jackson, 1997, 59-61; Brogan, 1992, 219-221; Butterworth, 1976, 109-111; Clodfelter, 1992, 1125; Facts on File, March 31-April 6, 1960; Keesing’s Record of World Events, July 31-August 7, 1948, October 16-23, 1948, January 19-26, 1949, June 17-24, 1950, August 6-13, 1960; Tillema, 1991, 246-247.]